Despite the many rumors, Jordan is a safe country which you can explore on your own without worrying about your safety. I must confess that I planned this trip down to the smallest detail and this is why the week I spent in Jordan turned out to be a memorable experience. In case you plan a trip to Jordan and you don’t know what to visit there, my trip itinerary might come in handy.

My boyfriend and I went on this trip with another couple and we landed in Amman in a beautiful November afternoon. Shortly after this, we rented a car at the airport and we started our journey in Jordan. If you want to save time, you should book the car in advance. This is exactly what we did, a few weeks before we got to Jordan.

Madaba, the town of mosaics, was the first place we visited. Madaba is a nice town which shelters two different religious communities: the Muslim community and the Christian community. Therefore, in Madaba you can admire both Muslim and Christian edifices. Small souvenir shops, good restaurants and a good vibe perfectly describe Madaba.

After several hours of exploring the town, we chose the perfect place to have dinner. Bawabit Madaba Restaurant & Café turned out to be one of the most inspired decisions of that day. The tasty appetizers and the chicken specialties, the savory mixed grill and fish were perfectly completed by the design and the pleasant atmosphere of this restaurant. After this delicious dinner, we continued our journey to Wadi Musa, the place which became our home for the next three days. Wadi Musa is the closest town to Petra and the perfect place to find accommodation in case you want to spend more time exploring the amazing complex of Petra.

On our first day there we visited a part of the complex, called the Main Trail, and we explored the small depression and the surroundings. We also admired the Treasury, a 40-meter high stone monument which is the most famous tourist attraction in the entire complex. After admiring this place, we spent the rest of the day exploring the surrounding cliffs and discovering beautiful panoramas. For a great experience but also because the road is a bit dangerous, I advise you to hire a local guide. We did this and we had the opportunity to admire the Treasury from great angles and take a lot of pictures.

After these memorable moments, we decided to continue exploring the cliffs until we got to the High Place of Sacrifice. Situated above the city of Petra, at an altitude of 170 meters, this place offered us gorgeous panoramic views. The experience of seeing Petra illuminated by hundreds of candles marked the end of that perfect day. It was amazing to sit down on the sand among the candles and listen to the locals who were playing the rabab and telling stories about the history of Petra. As a tip, I would like to tell you that Petra by night is organized only twice a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays and it starts at 20.30.

On the second day we continued visiting Petra. We admired the amphitheater and explored the mountain with temples and tombs. The hours we spent visiting the ruins went by so fast because we were totally absorbed by what we were seeing. After that we began climbing the cliffs and following the Ad-Deir Trail to get to Ad-Deir or the Monastery. The road was difficult, but the breathtaking scenery was worth the effort. We managed to reach the top of the mountain in the afternoon when the sun was up in the sky and the Monastery was caressed by its rays. This was the perfect moment to admire the Monastery in all its splendor.

As a tip, I would like to tell you that you can buy the cheapest souvenirs in the complex while you go up on the Ad-Deir Trail. In case you want to save some money, I recommend the Jordan Pass. This sightseeing package costs 55 dinars per person and it includes your tourist entry visa, two entrances to Petra and also the entrances to Wadi Rum Desert, Jerash and many other tourist attractions. It’s important to buy the Jordan Pass in advance because you will not have the possibility to buy it at the airport.  We bought ours online, a few weeks before we got to Jordan.

When it comes to food, I recommend My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant, which is located in Wadi Musa. This restaurant offers a diversified menu, giving you the chance to taste a lot of Jordanian dishes. In addition, you will enjoy your food in an authentic Jordanian atmosphere.

The next day we left Wadi Musa ready for another adventure. The Wadi Rum Desert is just one memorable experience from the long string of memories that I made during this trip. Petra and the Wadi Rum Desert are in an open competition for the title of the most beautiful tourist attraction in Jordan. Even though people might have different opinions about this, one thing is certain: crossing the desert in an off-road car and enjoying the amazing views is a once in a lifetime experience.

Our adventure started in the morning when the guide picked us up from a public parking lot. Ten minutes later the scenery was displaying its beauty in front of our eyes. It was amazing to admire the sand dunes, the sandstone cliffs and the gorgeous rock formations. The day went by very fast, but thanks to our local guide we managed to visit a lot of beautiful places in the desert. I must confess that it would have been very difficult without his help and this is why I advise you to opt for a guided tour in the Wadi Rum Desert. We made an online reservation in advance at Salem Camp, the place where we spent the night and we were offered a local guide for the off-road ride. Considering this aspect, it goes without saying that our day was perfect.

Still, the most interesting part of this adventure started when we arrived at Salem Camp. After my own experience there, I can understand why it is said that you cannot leave the Wadi Rum Desert without spending a night in the desert and admiring the sky full of stars. The rows of tents lined up in the camping area give you the feeling that you are in the middle of a military camp. Spending the night at Salem Camp might be a more comfortable experience than you think, because the two-person tents are equipped with large beds, blankets and even light bulbs and power outlets.

The surrounding cliffs offer gorgeous views and with a little luck you will have the chance to admire a great sunset, too. As far as I’m concerned, the gorgeous sunset, the millions of stars in the sky and the Bedouins’ stories were the ingredients of a memorable day. In addition, the traditional dinner cooked in sand perfectly completed this experience.

As I have already said, the entrance to the Wadi Rum Desert is free in case you buy the Jordan Pass. For an authentic experience in the desert I advise you to book a guided tour. For example, we chose a package which included a one-day car ride in the desert and a night of accommodation at Salem Camp with free dinner and breakfast.

When the sun came up, we were in the middle of the desert and with deep regret we had to continue our journey after breakfast.  We arrived at the Dead Sea in the evening and I can’t tell you how eager I was to float in its waves for the second time. I must confess that I saw the Dead Sea for the first time a few years ago during a trip to Israel and I really wanted to see it again in Jordan. We chose a hotel with a private beach which offered us moments of privacy and of course the unique experience of floating in the water. It is well-known that the Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth and that you can literally float in its water.

The next day we divided our time between relaxing at the Dead Sea and exploring the city of Jerash. Considered the second best preserved Roman city in the world after Pompei, the ancient city of Jerash is blessed with gorgeous temples, amphitheaters and impressive public squares. It was a really interesting and unique experience to discover the ruins of Jerash and to admire its edifices. The entrance to Jerash is also free if you purchase the Jordan Pass.

When it comes to food, I recommend the Lebanese House which is a very good restaurant in Jerash. This is the place where I tried mouth-watering grilled meat, tasty appetizers served with freshly baked bread and delicious desserts. In addition, the beautiful interior design of the Lebanese House and the pleasant atmosphere are the ingredients which perfectly completed this culinary experience.

We dedicated the last two days we spent in Jordan to the city of Amman which is the capital of the country. Exploring the Amman Citadel with its Byzantine churches, the museum and the Roman theater offered me a few moments of relaxation and joy. The ruins of the Amman Citadel seem to hold pages of history within their walls. It goes without saying that the entrance to the fortress is also included in the benefits offered by the Jordan Pass.

Walking down the narrow streets of Amman and enjoying the atmosphere in downtown are two other aspects that I really liked. Not to mention that the local bazaars were a real treat for me because I love shopping. The variety of shops which sell all kinds of products, the local pastry shops and the constant agitation give downtown Amman a special vibe. The stunning King Abdullah I Mosque is another place I really liked in Amman. This blue-domed mosque is the place where many Muslims gather for prayer.

As you were probably expecting, I also have a restaurant recommendation in Amman. Sufra Restaurant is a place which offers a variety of delicious appetizers, meat and fish specialties and tasty desserts. Located in a beautiful old villa, this restaurant is blessed with a lovely garden terrace. Sufra Restaurant also has a gorgeous interior design which creates a really pleasant atmosphere.

After these two days that we spent in Amman, we left Jordan with a lot of beautiful memories. Overall, Jordan was a memorable experience and I really hope that my trip itinerary will inspire you in case you ever plan to visit this country.

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Considered a once-in-a lifetime experience, a visit to Jordan should be on any tourist’s list. Despite everything you might have heard about this country, Jordan is very safe. As far as I’m concerned, I felt very safe there and I advise you to plan your trip to Jordan on your own. This way you will save a lot of money and you will have the freedom to admire its fabulous tourist attractions as long as you want. It goes without saying that my friends and I planned this trip down to the smallest detail. In case you follow my advice and you choose to plan your trip on your own it’s important to invest time in gathering valuable information. In order to help you I have put together some tips that might prove useful to you:

1.In case you want to save a sum of money, the Jordan Pass is the perfect opportunity. The Jordan Pass is a ticket which offers you three different packages. They include a lot of benefits and you can choose the one that suits you best, depending on how many days you want to spend exploring Petra. For example, we chose the Jordan Explorer which included two consecutive days in Petra, the free entry to over forty tourist attractions, free digital brochures and the free entry visa to Jordan. In order to get this free entry visa you have to respect two rules. First of all you have to buy the Jordan Pass on the internet before you get to the border and then to prove that you will spend at least three nights in Jordan. The Jordan Explorer cost 75 Jordanian dinars and as I have already said it was a good opportunity to save some money.

2.I advise you to plan your trip down to the smallest detail because Jordan offers a lot of beautiful tourist attractions and it would be a pity not to enjoy as many as you can. In case you want to have enough time to explore the entire complex, you should spend at least two days in Petra. Petra by night is an experience which is not included in any of the packages of the Jordan Pass, but it is worth paying 18 extra dinars in order to admire this place lit by hundreds of candles. An important information is that Petra by night is organized only twice a week, on Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 8.30 p.m. You can buy your tickets in advance from the entrance to the complex.

The Wadi Rum Desert is another experience that you shouldn’t miss while you are in Jordan. You cannot leave Jordan without spending at least a day and a night in this fabulous desert. Exploring the desert in an off-road car and spending the night in one of the tourist camps are the ingredients of a unique experience. We booked this trip online a few months before we got to Jordan.

The Dead Sea is a place which attracts a lot of tourists who are eager to float in its salty waves. The ancient Roman city of Jerash and Amman, the capital of the country, are two other places you shouldn’t miss if you ever get to Jordan. The only thing you should take into account is the fact that you will need at least a week to enjoy all these places.

3.There is no doubt that there are a lot of beautiful places in Jordan and the easiest way to visit as many as possible is by car. We rented a car online from an agency which had an office in the airport. In case you are wondering how difficult it is to drive in Jordan, you should not worry because the traffic is quite light, the public roads are good and the road signs are both in Arabic and English. It’s important to respect the traffic rules, because the risk of getting a ticket is very high. Many police cars are out in the streets trying to prevent accidents and terrorist attacks. We were stopped by the police quite a few times for routine checks, but the officers were very polite to us. Fortunately, we didn’t have the bad luck to get any traffic ticket.

4.When it comes to your travel budget, you should set your expectations properly. The prices in Jordan are quite high and it’s important to decide on the right budget because it would be a pity not to enjoy this country to the fullest. There are some experiences that you should definitely not miss in case you get to Jordan and you have to be able to afford them. Food is also expensive, but the Jordanian cuisine is worth every dinar. It would be a pity not to eat in the best Jordanian restaurants. The good news is the fact that you will save a considerable sum of money if you travel on your own and you can spend it on memorable experiences and also on the delicious Jordanian food.

5.Last but not least, it’s necessary to spend some time looking for good accommodation. Unfortunately, accommodation conditions are not at the same standards as they are in Europe. In this regard you should invest time in finding good accommodation options and check the reviews carefully.

When it comes to food, I have already said that I fell in love with the Jordanian cuisine. My advice is to choose the restaurants carefully, because there are many so-called trap restaurants which serve low quality food. Knowing that, we chose the places where we ate very carefully and we were able to enjoy the Jordanian cuisine to the fullest.

In case you want to live a perfect travel experience in Jordan, you could follow in my footsteps and take into account these simple tips.

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This is why I always combine the pleasure of visiting beautiful tourist attractions with the one of enjoying the local cuisine.

We all make mistakes and choose the wrong restaurants at some point, but it’s important to learn from those mistakes. I have gone through this type of situation and this made me more careful when I choose a restaurant. To make sure I will enjoy high standard food, I only choose the best restaurants on the market.

One of the best culinary experiences I have recently had was the one in Jordan. Besides its amazing tourist attractions, Jordan is blessed with a delicious local cuisine which impressed me with its tastes and flavors. I treated myself with a lot of local specialties and I must confess that I fell in love with the Jordanian cuisine. I am well-aware of the fact that the restaurants I have chosen influenced my opinion on Jordanian cuisine. Four of the restaurants I have tried were simply incredible, offering delicious food, a great atmosphere and an impeccable service. In case you plan a trip to Jordan, I would like to recommend these four restaurants because they will offer you a great culinary experience:

My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant is a place I would like to recommend in case you visit Petra. Situated in Tourism Street, Wadi Musa 71810, near the entrance to Petra, My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant caters for all tastes. From Lebanese and Mediterranean specialties, to appetizing Middle Eastern and Arabic dishes, all the food is simply delicious. The menu is very diversified and offers you the chance to try a lot of Jordanian local dishes. In case you don’t like or eat meat at all, you should know that the restaurant serves a lot of appetizing vegetarian dishes.

I still remember how delicious the food was. The traditional chicken served in bread and the different types of grilled meat served with salad and traditional sauces were absolutely divine. Not to mention that you will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of delicious appetizers which go hand in hand with a carafe of fresh fruit lemonade. Besides the great food, another aspect that I really liked was the fact that the restaurant was decorated in a traditional style, recreating the authentic Jordanian atmosphere. The icing on the cake was the kindness and the professionalism of the staff who impressed me with a perfect service.

Bawabit Madaba Restaurant & Café is the first place where I ate in Jordan and I must confess that it really impressed me with its delicious food. Situated in King Talal Street, Madaba 17110, close to the city center, this restaurant serves a variety of Middle Eastern specialties. From delicious appetizers and vegetarian dishes to tasty mixed grilled dishes and fish specialties, all food here is incredible.

I personally tried appetizers, chicken specialties, savory mixed grill and fish, but humus and baba ganoush were my favorite. I liked the food so much that my friends and I decided to make a detour in one of the days just to eat here for the second time. In addition, the restaurant is beautifully decorated with a lot of nice objects and it is blessed with a lovely rooftop terrace. The design and the pleasant atmosphere make Bawabit Madaba Restaurant & Café a perfect place to enjoy delicious Jordanian dishes. The service is also impeccable and the staff is really kind and well-trained.

The Lebanese House is the restaurant where you should definitely eat in case you ever get to Jerash. Situated in Debbin Street, Jerash 26119, at a 10-minute walk from the city center, the Lebanese House or Umm Khalil offers a selection of the best Lebanese, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. From delicious appetizers, meat and fish specialties to tasty desserts, all the food is simply incredible. I’m sure that whatever you choose from the menu will turn out to be a good decision.

I must confess that I was impressed by the mouth-watering grills and the tasty appetizers served with freshly baked bread. Not to mention that the desserts here are simply delicious and in case you love sweets, the Lebanese House is heaven on Earth. In addition, the beautiful interior of the restaurant and the pleasant atmosphere urge you to experience the authentic taste of Jordanian food. It goes without saying that the service and the professionalism of the staff in this restaurant are at high standards.

Sufra Restaurant is a good place to eat in Amman. The restaurant is situated in a beautiful and quiet area of the city, in Rainbow Street, Amman 11183. When it comes to Jordanian traditional cuisine, you have a lot of options to choose from. Sufra Restaurant serves a wide variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialties. Delicious appetizers, meat and fish specialties and tasty desserts are just a few of the dishes you can try in this restaurant.

My favorite dish that I tried here was chicken served in a traditional pot and seasoned with local spices. This was the best chicken I ate in Jordan. Located in a beautiful old villa with a small garden terrace, Sufra Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy the traditional Jordanian cuisine. In addition, the interior design of the restaurant displays a pleasant blend between modern and traditional decorative elements. It’s also important to mention that the staff’s attire and behavior perfectly complete this pleasant atmosphere.

To sum up, in case you don’t want to take any risks and have a great culinary experience in Jordan, these four restaurants are my recommendation to you. Another good news is that being situated near the most famous tourist attractions in Jordan, they are very easy to find.

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If I had to describe a visit in the desert, I would say hot sand, burning sun rays, sandstone cliffs, Bedouins’ villages and a sky with millions of stars. I have recently had the chance to live such an experience because during the week I spent in Jordan, I also visited the Wadi Rum Desert.

I must confess that it was not the first time when I visited a desert, but this experience was completely different. I enjoyed the beauty of the desert in Egypt, for the first time, but the Wadi Rum Desert was a more authentic adventure. I still remember those beautiful landscapes which displayed a multitude of brown and orange shades.

The Wadi Rum is a famous desert which has a lot to offer. The sand dunes and the asymmetrical cliffs give the Wadi Rum a special vibe. After Petra, the Wadi Rum Desert is the second place that should be on your trip itinerary if you get to Jordan. It is simply incredible to cross the desert in an off-road car and enjoy the amazing views. This is the place which was used as the setting for the famous movie “Lawrence of Arabia”, a movie which increased the tourism in the area. According to the main character “Wadi Rum is vast, sound and divine”. A lot of places in this desert are named after this character and even the desert itself is called Lawrence’s desert. Beyond the popularity the desert gained thanks to this movie, the Wadi Rum is a unique experience and a great adventure.

First of all, you should plan to spend at least two days in the desert in order to enjoy a complete experience there. If you buy the Jordan Pass, the entrance to the desert is free, but for a complete tour you should use the services of a local travel agency. We booked our trip online and we chose a package which included a one-day car ride in the desert and a night of accommodation in one of the tourist camps. The icing on the cake was the fact that dinner and breakfast were also included. It was very interesting to eat in the middle of the desert.

We were a group of four people and we started exploring the Wadi Rum Desert in the morning, when the off-road car took us from a public parking lot. The first stop was at the bottom of a high cliff where we had the chance to admire a flock of camels. Even though I could have ridden the camels, I chose not to do this. I had already done this in Egypt, and I must confess that it was not a very comfortable ride. This is why this time I was happy with taking a lot of pictures and enjoying their company.

After this stop, we continued the journey through the desert and the landscape started displaying its beauty. The massive cliffs were urging us to start exploring them. Even though the sun was burning, we decided to climb a cliff situated near an impressive dune. It was well worth the effort, because we had the chance to admire some breathtaking views. As a bonus, after we went down, we treated ourselves with a warm glass of tea served in the small souvenir shop situated nearby.

One of my favorite parts of this ride was the moment when we stopped in front of a gorgeous rock formation called “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom”. The scenery was simply fabulous. One of the cliffs had a hole inside it which allowed me to experience a unique walk.

Another stop which I really liked was in front of a cliff which looked like a natural bridge. Even though I could have climbed the cliff to walk on that bridge, I must confess that I was afraid. To compensate my lack of courage, I decided to admire the cliff and the bridge for almost an hour, trying to memorize every detail of this view. It goes without saying that I also took a lot of pictures there.

We continued our ride and we crossed the desert from one end to the other, admiring the sand dunes and the sandstone cliffs. My friends completed this adventure with a few jumps in the sand. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the courage to jump from the car and sink in the sand.

Towards the end of the day we finally arrived at Salem Camp, the place where we spent the night. This place looked like a military camp, with large tents which were perfectly aligned in rows. The two-person tents were equipped with large beds, blankets and even light bulbs and power outlets.

When the sun was about to set, we left our luggage in the tents and rushed to reach the top of the cliff which was situated near the camp. Admiring a gorgeous sunset in the middle of the desert made me feel free. With this feeling in my heart and a cup of tea in my hands, I joined the group of tourists gathered around the campfire. Millions of stars in the sky and a lot of stories told by the Bedouins made the end of the day memorable. The icing on the cake was the traditional dinner cooked in sand. The meat and the vegetables were cooked in an authentic way. They were prepared in a pot which was buried in the sand on burning coals. It goes without saying that this special dinner perfectly completed our experience in the desert.

Unfortunately, beautiful moments usually end fast and the next day, after breakfast we had to return to the public parking lot. The best part is that memories last forever and what I lived and felt there cannot be taken away by anyone.

All things considered, in case you plan a trip to Jordan, make sure you add the Wadi Rum Desert to your trip itinerary, because the time spent there is worth every second.

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It is the second best preserved Roman city in the world after Pompei and a true architectural masterpiece. Unfortunately, not many tourists have heard about this jewel, probably because of Petra and Wadi Rum, which are the most visited places in Jordan. No one questions the overwhelming beauty of these places, but Jerash is also a place which really deserves the tourists’ attention. The gorgeous temples and amphitheaters and the impressive public squares make Jerash an amazing ancient city which holds pages of history within its walls.

The history of this city was marked by many important events. It is said that Jerash was founded by Alexander the Great, when he started to conquer the Orient. During the Roman occupation, Jerash became one of the richest cities in the area. The most glorious moment in the history of this city, also known as Gerasa, was the visit of Emperor Hadrian. The city suffered major transformations because the local authorities wanted to impress the emperor. The streets were extended, all the temples were renovated and even a Triumphal Arch was built in honor of Emperor Hadrian.

Unfortunately, after this prosperous period, the decline was inevitable. The economic crisis and the transition to Christianity were two difficult moments in the history of the city. A lot of new churches were built on the territory of the old city and even the old temples were turned into Christian edifices. After these tumultuous moments, the city suffered even more during the Persian and the Muslim occupation. The glorious days of Jerash ended in 749, when it was hit by a powerful earthquake and it was almost completely destroyed. The abandoned city of Jerash was rebuilt by the Circassians many years later, fortunately keeping the same architectural lines. In a few sentences, this is the tumultuous story of the ancient city of Jerash.

Nowadays, Jerash only displays the ruins of what this prosperous city used to be. All these tumultuous episodes marked the evolution of this city and they proved once again that there is a fine line between glory and decline. The ancient city is now a complex that can be visited in case you are willing to pay a fee. There are a lot of architectural edifices that can be admired inside the complex.

When I think about my own experience there, many of these beautiful places come to my mind. I still remember how surprised I was to see the imposing Triumphal Arch, which was almost undamaged although it was built over 2000 years ago. Among the multitude of columns, I noticed the hippodrome, the place which gave me the feeling that I was in the middle of a Roman Colosseum fight. Gladiator performances are still organized in the hippodrome, but unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to be there on one of those days.

The image of the gorgeous Oval Square is still alive in my memory. The impressive size of this square made me think about how simple the inhabitants of Jerash used to live. The Temple of Jupiter is the religious edifice that really impressed me. Its imposing appearance and the wonderful architectural details make you go back in time. In addition, this is the place where you can admire some incredible panoramic views over the entire area.

Cardo is another part of the city that I really liked. Cardo is a colonnaded street which is still paved with the original stones. This street offers an easy access to other important buildings in the complex. Jerash had an active cultural life and this is quite obvious taking into account that there were three theaters in the old city. You can still admire their well-preserved ruins. Two of them are situated close to the hippodrome, but the most impressive is the third one, which is situated in the north part of the city. Here, I had the chance to watch an interesting show.

It is still a pleasure to remember the moment I climbed the stairs to the Temple of Artemis. The long staircase made me even more anxious to discover what was hiding at the end of it. According to the legend, a small part of the old Jerash was dedicated to the nymphs. I must confess that it was difficult to imagine this place as a land of nymphs, embellished with fountains and flowers. These are only a few of the places that came to my mind, while thinking about this beautiful experience.

Unfortunately, Jerash is not visited by all the tourists who get to Jordan and it is a pity because it has a lot to offer. In addition, it’s very easy to get there, taking into account the fact that it’s situated at an hour’s drive of Amman.

All things considered, make sure you visit Jerash if you ever get to Jordan. If I haven’t convinced you yet, I’m sure that the following pictures will speak for themselves.

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I think that we all have a list of places we would like to see at least once in a lifetime. Petra was one of those places I have always wanted to visit and fortunately, my dream came true at the end of last year. I’m so happy that I’ve managed to visit this amazing place and I must confess that it really deserves to be among the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Petra is considered the main tourist attraction in Jordan and for good reason. A blend between history, architecture and natural landscapes, perfectly describe the ancient city of Petra. Hidden from the eyes of the world behind high stone walls, Petra displays its beauty in a spectacular way. From the impressive buildings built in stone to the imposing religious edifices and tombs, Petra is simply magical.

The story of this place started in the sixth century BC, when the Nabataeans, an Arabic tribe, settled in this area and began the construction of the ancient city. It is said that the Nabataeans were ancient people mentioned in the Bible, who came from the northern part of the current Saudi Arabia and from the southern part of Jordan. At that time Petra was going through a prosperous period thanks to the spice, silk and slaves trade. Merchants and travelers of all nations were constantly passing through Petra and at a certain time the ancient city became a trade knot.

The glorious Petra lost its independence in 106 AC, when it was conquered by the Roman Empire. As a Roman province, Petra suffered major transformations. The commercial roads were moved to other ancient cities, in the east part of the country and a lot of Roman edifices were built on its territory. After the transition to Christianity, Petra became an important Episcopal Office. The glorious days of Petra ended in the sixth century AC, when the city was hit by a powerful earthquake. During this earthquake, almost all the Roman constructions were destroyed and only the ancient Nabataean ones remained almost intact.

The city was abandoned for more than 1000 years and during this period it was used only by the Bedouins. The ancient city of Petra was rediscovered in 1812 by John Lewis Burkhardt. This was the moment when the difficult process of restoration started and the long-gone beauty of Petra was brought back to life.

Nowadays, Petra is a large complex which stretches along the foot of Mount Hor and covers the eastern side of the Wadi Araba Valley. Taking into account the size of the complex, you should spend at least two days there in case you want to visit the entire place. The best way to enjoy the beauty of this place to the fullest is to visit the complex on your own or using the services of a local guide.

The entrance to this archeological complex doesn’t reveal too much from its extraordinary beauty. A lot of locals dressed in Bedouins will welcome you at the entrance. They will invite you to take a horse ride in order to get to the center of the city in a faster way. My advice is to walk even though it takes a great effort, because this way you will have the chance to admire the entire place. In addition, the locals will only take you a few hundred meters, until the entrance to the Strait Siq and from there you will have to walk more than one kilometer to get to the Treasury. I chose to walk and I don’t regret it at all.

When I look back and think about this experience, I must say that it was worth every step. I still remember the narrow strait which became narrower with every step I took. Surrounded by high orange and pink cliffs on all sides, I had the feeling that I was in a maze. From place to place a tree was embellishing the area with its splash of color. I was stunned by this scenery, but the climax was the moment when I saw the silhouette of Al Khazneh or the Treasury.

According to the legend the Bedouins believed that there was a treasure hidden in this temple but despite searching for it, the treasure has never been found. It is also said that this place used to shelter the tomb of King Aretas III. The Treasury gained its notoriety after being used as a setting for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, two well-known movies.

This gorgeous 40-meter high stone monument is the most famous tourist attraction in the entire complex. I must confess that I couldn’t take my eyes off this amazing place. This small depression surrounded by high cliffs was full of tourists who were eager to admire the gorgeous Treasury.  In addition, the camels, the locals and the souvenir shops made this place really hard to bear.

Even though I was mesmerized by the beauty of the Treasury, I wanted to get rid of all that fuss that was going on around me. This is why my friends and I decided to accept the services of two local guides who asked us if we wanted to admire the most beautiful views over the entire area. We spent the rest of the day exploring the surrounding cliffs and discovering beautiful panoramas. This turned out to be an inspired choice, because the experience was great. I recommend this type of experience only if you accept the help of local guides because the road is difficult and it might be dangerous.

First of all, we climbed the cliffs situated to the right of the monument in order to admire the Treasury from above. We admired this place for almost an hour and then we went down again. Next, we climbed the cliffs situated to the left of the monument. I must confess that the road was quite difficult and the fact that we hired local guides helped us a lot. After a difficult climb we arrived at a place from where the Treasury could be admired in all its splendor. I think we took hundreds of pictures there because the view was absolutely gorgeous.

The adventure was not over yet and we decided to continue exploring the cliffs until we got to the famous aisle. The High Place of Sacrifice is actually a sanctuary which was used as a place of sacrifice to worship the gods. Situated at an altitude of 170 meters above the city of Petra, this place offers gorgeous panoramic views over the entire area. The effort of getting there is great, but the good news is that you can rest for a few minutes at the top of the cliffs. This is a place where tourists can stop to take a short rest and even enjoy a drink. You can admire the views from there, but my advice is to take a few more steps.

The feeling I had while I was at the top of the high cliffs was absolutely amazing. After admiring those views for hours, we chose another path to go back and this was a perfect opportunity to admire other great panoramic views. The way we chose to return was actually the official road to the aisle. I only realized how fast time passed, when I saw the sun setting. On our way down we stopped on a large plateau from where we could see an amphitheater and a lot of tombs built in stone.

The day was not over yet and we also decided to see Petra by night. The experience of seeing Petra lit by hundreds of candles was magical. These candles light up the way to the Treasury. The place in front of the Treasury seemed to be cut out of a fairy tale because it was full of lit candles.  We sat down somewhere among these candles with a cup of tea in our hands and we started listening to the local who was playing the rabab. It was a real pleasure to listen to the sounds made by the oldest musical instrument in the world. Shortly after this, another local started telling us the story of the ancient city of Petra, while the building was beautifully lit in different shades of colors.

Overall, Petra by night is quite an experience. In case you want to add it to your trip itinerary, you should take into account that Petra by night is organized twice a week, on Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 20.30. It’s important to buy your tickets in advance at the entrance to the complex and be there around 7 o’clock in the evening.

We continued exploring the complex the following day. We admired again the scenery offered by the gorge and the beautiful Treasury. It was the second time I saw this gorgeous monument and it still impressed me a lot. After admiring the Treasury for a few minutes, we visited the amphitheater and explored the mountain which sheltered many temples and hundreds of tombs. With a seating capacity of over 8500 people, the amphitheater was originally built in the Greek style and it was rebuilt by the Romans after it became a Roman province. The mountain which shelters the tombs and the temples is actually a high rock with a lot of facades built in stone. You can go up the stairs in case you want to have a closer look at the facades of the tombs and temples. Some of these tombs can still be visited.

After exploring the street and admiring the impressive facades, we continued walking through the depression. The most difficult part, but also the most beautiful one started when we began climbing the cliffs to get to Ad-Deir or the Monastery. You have to climb around 850 stairs and follow small narrow paths, but you cannot leave Petra without discovering the second most famous monument in the complex. The curved road and the high cliffs created a breathtaking scenery. The only one aspect I didn’t like was related to the souvenir shops which were situated on both sides of the road. The good news is that there you could find souvenirs at really good prices. You can also take a donkey ride to reach the Monastery, but it would be a pity not to walk because the road is very beautiful. In addition, you could spare this animal of making a great effort.

We reached the top of the mountain in the afternoon when the Monastery was caressed by the sun. Despite having different architectural motifs, the Monastery and the Treasury have a similar appearance. Like the Treasury, the Monastery also used to shelter a tomb. It was King Obodas’s tomb. The main difference between them is probably the fact that the Treasury is situated at the foot of the cliffs while the Monastery is situated at the top of them. A few steps away, there is a place from where you can admire the Monastery and the surrounding area in all their splendor.

Unfortunately, after spending a few hours there, we had to go back. I still remember how hard I was trying to memorize every detail of this trip. Petra was indeed a great experience and it definitely deserves to be on every person’s bucket list.

As I have already said, you should spend at least two days in Petra, in case you want to have a complete experience there. This is why I recommend the Jordan Pass, a sightseeing package which includes your tourist entry visa, two entrances to Petra and also the entrances to Wadi Rum Desert, Jerash and many other tourist attractions. The Jordan Pass gives you the chance to save time and money because it costs only 55 dinars per person. Petra by night is not included in this package and for this experience you have to pay 18 dinars extra. When it comes to accommodation, Wadi Musa, the nearest town is the best place to stay during your visit to Petra.

All things considered, Petra is undoubtedly the main symbol of Jordan and an outstanding tourist attraction.

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